Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 7, 1 July 2001 — Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea: The day Hawaiʻiʻs sovereignty was restored [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea: The day Hawaiʻiʻs sovereignty was restored

By Manu Boyd Hidden amidst a kukui growth within wild thickets of hamhoo at Luakaha in upper Nu'uanu valley are the remains of what was onee the social nucleus of the royal circle. Kaniakapūpū, meaning the "song of the land shells was a country retreat of Kauikeaouli who ruled as King Kamehameha III, and his queen, Kalama. Though coral and stone structure remnants are vulnerable to the elements and destructive overgrowth, the legendary soirees - some lasting weeks - live in the memoirs of those privileged to attend such affairs. One such event was the July 31, 1847 "lā ho'iho'i ea" or restoration celebration, the fourth anniversary of an auspicious Hawaiian national holiday. In February 1843, the kingdom had been seized by Lord George Paulet under the guise of the authority of the Bristish crown. After five months of the unauthorized take over, British Rear Admiral Richard Thomas, as ordered by

Queen Victoria of England, proclaimed the restored sovereignty of King Kamehameha III. At Kulaokahu'a, Admiral Thomas raised the Hawaiian flag at what is now know as Thomas Square. Kaniakapūpū was already under construction, and the royal eouple immediately began enter-

taining at Nu'uanu. But by many accounts, it was the 1 847 event that was unforgettable, with 10,000 in attendance, although in true Hawaiian style, food was prepared for 12,000. What do you feed thousands of ali'i, maka'āinana and distinguished guests including Admiral Thomas? According to a memorandum obtained by St. John, the king's steward, "271 hogs, 482 large calabashes of poi, 602 chickens, three whole oxen, two barrels of salt pork, two barrels of biscuits, 12 barrels of lū'au and cabbages, four barrels of onions, 80 bunches of bananas, 55 pineapples, 2,245 coconuts, 4,000 heads of taro, 180 squid, oranges, limes, grapes and various fruit." This restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty was quite a feast - an age-old reason for all citizens of Hawai'i to party big! Editor's note: On July 29, the Oouneil of Hawaiian Organizations invites the puhlie to a ceremony at noon when the Hawaiian flag will he hoisted, and speeches for sovereignty and independence will be given. ■

Hanana Kūikawā iiiiauaiiaiiiaiuiiua

Efforts are under way to preserve the remains of "Kaniakapūpū" where King Kamehameha III entertained lavishly in hopes that the Hawaiian national holiday ean again be celebrated there.